I’ve talked a lot about the importance of balance in a busy schedule and how necessary it is to take time for yourself. Often, though, I don’t follow my own advice, and I get so wrapped up in whatever I’m supposed to be doing for others that I forget what I’m supposed to be doing for myself. Eventually, neglecting your self-care and mental wellness takes a toll on your mind and body.
I’m the type of person that fears saying no. I don’t want to disappoint anyone, either in my personal or professional life, so I’ll get to the point that I’ve committed to too many things and left too little time for myself. Last week, for example, I worked four 16-hour days in a row between my two jobs and studying. By the fifth day, I was so physically and psychologically exhausted that I could not get out of bed. I had overextended myself to the point that my body forced me to take a break by way of an incapacitating migraine.
Of course, not every week is like that. Some weeks are much slower and less demanding than others, but some weeks are so exhausting and overbooked that I don’t even have enough time to sleep properly, let alone actually think about what my mind and body need.
Unfortunately, last week my mind and body had to force me to give myself a break. It shouldn’t get to that point, though. I should never allow myself to neglect my own wellness. If I’m not taking care of myself, I can’t function at top performance.
Our bodies need rest. We need time to recover from long days. We need to listen to the signals our bodies give us when it’s time to take a break, otherwise, they’ll force us to stop.
If you need to take a nap, do it. If you need to take a day for yourself, that’s okay. If you need to say no to taking on an extra project, an extra shift, whatever it is that’s overbooking you, say no. You only have one mind and one body, and you have to take care of them.
Stay healthy. Stay rested.
Xo,
Kayla W